Pine Street Inn: Everybody Has a Story

Pine Street’s Impact

Everybody has a East Boston

Allston/Brighton

Back Bay

Downtown Boston

Fenway Brookline South Boston

South End

B

Roxbury

O

ST

O

N

HA

RB

OR

Dorchester

Jamaica Plain

Long Island

1,600 individuals daily/9,000 individuals annually

Pine Street Inn Headquarters, 444 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA Permanent Supportive Housing Emergency Shelter

4 4 4 H A R R I S O N AV E N U E

BOSTON, M A 02118

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Street Outreach Job Training & Placement Recovery Program Veterans’ Program

6 1 7. 8 9 2 . 9 1 70

W W W. P I N E S T R E E T I N N . O R G

P I N E

S T R E E T

I N N 12/16/14 2:41 PM

Then

Pine Street Inn has transformed from offering a bed and a meal to a full range of services to help men and women rebuild their lives.

Today

Pine Street Inn recently converted this former convent in Dorchester to a new home for 31 men and women. Today, Pine Street Inn has 37 permanent supportive housing locations and over 850 tenants in Boston and Brookline.

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12/17/14 11:20 AM

K E L

O U R

“Volunteering is Good for the Soul”

S T O R Y

“Focused on Ending Homelessness”

P

ine Street Inn’s story begins in 1969 on Pine Street in Boston’s Chinatown, oﬀering approximately 200 men suﬀering from alcoholism a safe alternative to the streets of Boston.

K

el Kelly has an unwavering belief that kindness is the key to happiness. For the past three years, this CEO of an innovative public relations and social media agency and mother of four has volunteered in the dining room at Pine Street, serving meals and touching lives. The experience has been profound, giving her “an infusion of positive energy” that generates a degree of happiness she describes as “euphoric.” Kel’s connection to Pine Street comes from a very personal place. The father of her children passed away a few years ago due to addiction-related issues. She often thinks of him when she is volunteering. “I wasn’t able to save my kids’ Dad and I can’t save those who are at Pine Street,” she remarks sadly. But she is lifted to know that she can oﬀer other invaluable gifts. While serving meals, she makes it a priority to engage in conversation with each guest she serves. Kel, aware that many in society are unable to make direct eye contact with those who are homeless, wants to communicate a clear message when she is at Pine Street. Last year Kel served Christmas dinner at Pine Street. “I was so happy to be there,” she says. Kel and the other caring volunteers understood that the holidays

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The organization has evolved and transformed over the years. In 1980, Pine Street moved its headquarters from Chinatown to the iconic “tower” building on Harrison Avenue in the South End, where it began oﬀering shelter and services to women as well.

“I want the guests to know that I truly see them and they do matter.” can accentuate loneliness and responded generously by incorporating a visit to Pine Street in their own family celebrations. That Christmas dinner was further memorable for Kel. She brought her entire family and they volunteered together. She was touched when the overwhelming response from her children was a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to spend time at Pine Street. One described the event as “the best night I ever had.” To Kel, whose top parenting priority is to raise compassionate kids, this was an aﬃrmation of what she already knows: “Volunteering is good for the soul!”

In 1984, Pine Street Inn opened its first permanent residence for 26 individuals, recognizing that homeless men and women could gain stability and live productive, fulfilling lives.

After being homeless for four years, Derry now has a place to call home.

With the benefit of staﬀ who help connect tenants with community resources like healthcare, job training and volunteer opportunities, Pine Street now provides housing to over 850 men and women in 37 locations throughout Boston and Brookline. Today, Pine Street Inn works with over 1,600 men and women daily, providing a comprehensive range of programs and services, including housing, shelter, outreach, and job training and placement.

We are pleased to report that we have tipped the balance, now oﬀering more housing beds than shelter beds each night.

12/16/14 2:42 PM

Everybody has a

a he heart” h ear art” t” for for or P Pine i e St in Street tre eet e IInn. nn. nn n. The T Th he fi firs rrst rs stt ye year year, ear a , Ch C Charlie har arli arli lie e ra rais raised ais ised d $5,000. $5 5,0 000 0 . In I 2 2014, 01 0 14, 4, rraffl affl ffle ti ttickets cket ck ets et ts ssold so old ld da att re rrestaurants stau st tau aura rant ntts ra n rraised ais ised ed da almost lmos lm ost os $1 $ $150,000! 150,0 50 0,0 ,000 0 ! 00

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e all have a story—how and where we grew up…what we want to accomplish in our lives…

our successes and failures…our hopes and dreams. Our

GUESTS each have a story of events that

happened in their lives that led them to Pine Street. Our

TENANTS have a story of their journey back from homelessness to housing. Our STAFF have a story of why they were drawn to this work. Our DONORS and VOLUNTEERS have a story of why they provide financial support or give their time to Pine Street, year after year. Even

PINE STREET INN

as an organization has a story of how it has evolved and changed over the years to meet the needs of homeless men and women in Boston. Yes, everybody has a story.

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T Th Through rro oug u h th the e ye y years, ear ear a s, s, C Charlie harl ha harl r ie eD Doe oe also al lsso oh helped ellpe ped d Pi P Pine ne S ne Street t ee tr et ex e expand pa and iit its ts ki k kitchen itc tche tc hen and he an nd st sstart arrt th the he fo food ood od se services erv rvic ices ttraining ic ices ra ain inin ing in g pr prog program og gra r m th that hat no now ow prep pr prepares rep epar ares 1 ar ares 100 00 0g graduates ra radu ad du uat uat ates ess an annu annually nnu n al ally ly ffor ly or w work ork or k iin n tthe he ffood he o d oo indu in industry. ndu ust stry ry.. Ch Char Charlie a lliie an ar and d hi h his iss wi w wife fe fe Shirley extended generosity Sh Shir hirrle ey ex xte tend nd nded ded d ttheir he eir g ener en ner eros o it os ity y and an dv vi vision isi isi sion on n tto o Pi P Pine ine S Street’s trre ee et’s t’s t’ housing program, when ho h ous u ing in ng p pr rog gra ram, m, w m, h n th he tthe e family gave gift purchase fa ami mily yg av a ave ve a gi iftt tto o pu p urc rcha ase se a property on Parker Hill Avenue p pr prop rop o er erty ty o ty n Pa P rker rk err H i l Av il A ven en e enue nue ue Boston’s Mission Hill. The in B osto os ton’ to nsM n’ Mi isssio ion nH Hi ill. ll. Th ll T e Doe Family’s connection D Do e Fa F ami m ly mi l ’s llong ong on g co onn nnec ec cti tio tion on n tto o Pine Street honored P Pi ine n S ne trreet tree ee et wa wass h ho ono ore r d wi with with th iits tss naming ass “D House” during na ami m ng a “Doe Doe eH ou use se”” d du uri ring g dedication 2008. the th e de d ed diica c ti tion on n iin n 20 2 00 08 8.

“It is wonderful to be able to bring the younger generation to volunteer at Pine Street and show them the organization that was so important to their grandparents,” says Amy Doe Noordzij. “Peeling carrots for dinner, decorating cookies for the Women’s Inn, making sandwiches for the Outreach Van or wrapping presents during the holiday season—all these experiences strengthen our family’s relationship with Pine Street. Giving our time and financial support are meaningful reminders of our parents’ legacy.”

Charlie Doe died 2006, and C Ch arrliie Do D e di d ied ed iin ed n 20 006, 06 6, a an nd Shirley passed away 2007, Sh S hirrle ey pa p ass sse ed da w y in wa n2 007, 00 07 7,, spirit off gene generosity but th bu but ttheir heir eir sp ei pir irit i o ge en ne ero rosi osi sity ty lives on. honor off th live li iv ve es on o n n.. In nh onorr o on ttheir hei eir philanthropic legacy, Shirley p ph ilan il an anth nth hrro opi p c le ega gacy cy cy y,, th tthe he Sh S irrle irle ley y and Charles F.. Do Doe Family B. a B. nd dC ha arl rles les F D oe Fami Fa ami mily ily y Foundation was established Fo oun unda ndati da ati tion on w ass e stab st abli ab bli lish shed ed ““to to o lives iimprove im mprov prro ov ve th the he li live ves of ve of iindividuals ndiv nd ivid dua uals ls a an and d fa ffamilies mili mi lies es iin n ne n need eed d iin n the th he G Gr Greater re ea ate ter er Ne N New ew En ew E England glan gl an and nd a ar area.” rea e .”” T Th Thei Their hei eir si six ix c ch children—Amy, hil ildr dren dr en—A —A Amy my, Barb B Ba Barb, arb rb, Bi B Bill, ill lll,, Ch C Chad, had a , Da Dana Dana na a and nd D nd Deborah— ebor eb orrah h— a an nd ma m an any ny yg ra an nd dch hilld drren en c arry ar arry y and many grandchildren carry on ttheir heirr ttradition he ra adi d ti tion on o on g viing ng b ack ac ck off gi giving back by yv ollun nte eer erin rin ng a att P in ne Stre St tre reet ee ett, volunteering Pine Street, a an nd d supp su upp porti orting or ting ti ng it ts wo w orrk k tthrough hrou hr ough h and supporting its work the th he Do oe Fa F Fami ami mily l F ou und n a attio on n,, Doe Family Foundation, w wh h hic ich ic h made ma m ad de e a lleadership eade ea de d ers rshi hip ip gi g iftt tto o which gift P Pi ine ne S trre ee ett’’s re et’ rece ec ce ent ent ntly yc omp om pllet ee ed d Pine Street’s recently completed ho h ou ussin ng ca am mp pai pai a gn gn. gn. housing campaign.

12/16/14 2:43 PM

A M A N D A D O E

F A M I LY

“Giving Across Generations”

“Tough Times and Big Dreams”

A

t just 25 years old, Amanda already has lived more life than most people experience in a lifetime. “There were many times when I didn’t know where I would be living from one week to the next,” she says. Amanda first became homeless in 2007 when she was 18 and her mother divorced Amanda’s alcoholic and emotionally abusive stepfather. At various times, Amanda has lived with an aunt, her father, and a variety of other relatives, all while working and trying to further her education. She had started college around the time of the 2007 divorce, but her financial aid fell through, and she had to withdraw from school.

Several generations of the Doe Family, along with Mayor Thomas Menino, cut the ribbon to open Doe House.

T

he Doe Family has practiced philanthropy for generations. During the Depression, Charlie Doe’s mother would give him coins to distribute to men and women who looked like they were in need on the streets of Boston.

$5 million in funds and food as well as invaluable volunteer hours for more than 30 years. When asked what had inspired these acts of kindness, he told people that an old friend, an alcoholic, had died alone on the streets.

That spirit of giving continued when Charlie founded the Ninety Nine Restaurants. From oﬀering a few homeless men free meals and a place to sleep in the back of his restaurant, he became one of Pine Street Inn’s most generous benefactors—both individual and corporate—providing the organization with nearly

Charlie Doe first supported Pine Street in 1980. He often turned up in the lobby, sitting with the guests and offering them words of encouragement. He brought food and staff from his restaurant to serve guests once a month, and he sold heart-shaped raffle tickets around Valentine’s Day, encouraging customers to “have

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Earlier this year Amanda enrolled at Roxbury Community College, trying to make a fresh start. Although she worked hard, her unstable living situation made it almost impossible to succeed. How could anyone juggle sleeping on a diﬀerent couch each week, living out of a suitcase, and attending classes? “I started missing classes and even missed some finals,” she says. Recognizing her potential, Amanda’s professors tracked her down and helped her complete the semester, but it wasn’t easy.

“I wanted to gain some stability and focus on school, so I came to Pine Street Inn in January 2014.” At Pine Street she found the support of other women who help each other stay on track and move toward their goals. Now Amanda maintains a 3.0 average at school while working 40 hours a week at a CVS. This semester, she’s taking English, general science, pre-calculus and introductory statistics. Her goal is to be a middle school special education math teacher because middle school is an important turning point: “If you have a bad teacher at this age, you’re turned oﬀ from school.” Amanda is on a waiting list for housing, hoping to have a place of her own very soon. “Most of all, I am grateful for the support that Pine Street has provided me.” The staﬀ have helped her connect to resources, fill out housing applications, and perhaps most important—stay strong.

12/16/14 2:44 PM

F R A N K R O G E R “The ‘Mayor’ of Pine Street Inn”

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alking around Pine Street Inn with Roger is like walking with a mayor of a small city. An evening-shift housekeeper who has worked at Pine Street for six years, Roger knows everyone.

Born and brought up in Boston, Roger worked for the Boston Housing Authority for six years on the maintenance crew, a job that had him in and out of all the city’s housing complexes. “I know some of these guys,” he says, gesturing toward the shelter lobby. “They’re here for a reason: they’re down on their luck. I try to give them respect and a smile.” Roger explains that Pine Street Inn is an especially aﬃrming place for him to work. “I used to drink when I was younger. I’ve been sober for 13 years now. Working here, seeing these guys every day—seeing what my life could have become—that helps keep me clean and sober.”

“We’re like one big family,” he says. “I’m so happy to come to work every day.” “Hey—how ya doin’?” he calls out to a couple of guests who wave to him as he walks through the lobby of the Men’s Inn. He gets on the elevator and greets a colleague he hasn’t seen in a while; she works on the housekeeping day shift. Passing by administrative oﬃces on the second floor, Roger pops his head in an open door to say hello.

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When he’s around Boston visiting family, he occasionally runs into someone he knows who is in need. “I tell them to come to Pine Street. When they say, ‘Nah, that’s just a shelter,’ I tell them it’s much more than a shelter.” And if people are reluctant, Roger tells them—in true mayoral fashion: “Go on down to Pine Street. Tell them I sent you.”

“Getting Back on His Feet”

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here was a time in Frank’s life when he had a job, a car, and a place to live. But until the last few years, alcohol and undiagnosed mental illness were also part of his life. Even after a good stretch of two or three years, Frank’s illnesses would cause him to eventually lose his job and end up back on the streets. That’s what happened in late 2009. He had been working, selling The Boston Globe and Boston Herald, when newspaper sales began to drop oﬀ. Frank wasn’t able to pay his bills and started drinking again. After spending a few nights on the street, which he calls “very scary,” he met up with Pine Street’s Outreach van on Boston Common. Outreach workers spoke with Frank and encouraged him to come to Pine Street Inn to receive the support he needed to get back on his feet. As Frank recalls, that was the turning point. “They connected me with a case manager, Stephanie Brown. She arranged for me to get medical and mental health care. That’s when I was diagnosed and was able to get on medication,” he explains. With Stephanie’s support and his medication, Frank was finally able to become stable and stay sober. He’s been that way since the summer of 2010. “Once Stephanie could see I was committed to my sobriety, she talked to me about housing,” he says.

“Living here has been a godsend. Every day, I get on my knees and say ‘thank you’ for having a place to live. I’m so grateful to Stephanie and to Habiba, my house manager. I don’t know where I’d be without them and Pine Street.” In 2012, Frank moved in to one of Pine Street’s permanent residences in Jamaica Plain. “I live on the third floor with five other guys. We share a common room and take turns cooking. I love to cook.”